Canadians say they don't buy these grocery items anymore because prices are too expensive

"I've cut back on everything."

canadian flag label on grocery store shelves. right: products in grocery store aisle

Canadian flag labels on grocery store shelves. Right: Grocery store aisle.

Photokvu | Dreamstime, Wwphoto | Dreamstime
Senior Writer

You probably know that grocery stores in Canada can be expensive, but you might not know which products Canadians aren't buying anymore because of prices.

Well, we found out, and it seems like a lot of essential items are no longer on shopping lists.

Just a few months ago, Narcity posted on Facebook and asked Canadians what groceries they stopped buying because they're too expensive.

With more than 800 responses, people revealed that they're avoiding many products at grocery stores, including essentials, American items, and made-in-Canada products.

These are the top five groceries that Canadians don't buy now because of prices:

  1. Beef
  2. Meat (any kind)
  3. Steak
  4. Fresh produce
  5. Coffee

Then, cheese is in sixth, chicken is in seventh, bacon and chips are tied for eighth, fish is ninth, and butter, milk and cream, grapes, and pop are all tied for 10th.

Only a few people said they no longer put bread, eggs, salmon, avocados, cucumbers, watermelon, cherries, pasta, Kraft Dinner, and canned soup in their carts when shopping for groceries.

Many Canadians told Narcity that they had to stop buying a lot of items at grocery stores.

"Too many to mention."
Ronald Lapp
"That would be a big list."
Carol Simpson
"Pretty much everything."
Shaune Sieben
"Anything that isn't on sale."
Sandrine Campeau-Simeone
"Mostly all of them, I shop the sales."
Angela Dow-Cormier
"I would say I've cut back on everything."
Lori Francis
"Almost everything, unless it's on sale. And even then, sale prices aren't really that great."
Di Mackey

When Donald Trump imposed tariffs and repeatedly said Canada should become the 51st state earlier this year, Canadians started to boycott American products.

Some people told Narcity that they still don't buy American products when shopping for groceries.

"I just don't buy USA products."
Christine Taylor
"Trying for zero from the USA."
Katheleen Spoormakers
"I don't buy anything American-made."
Wilma Pilon
"Anything from the USA."
Richard Lavery
"I don't buy American anymore."
Laura Argyle-Nutt
"Everything American."
Ken Salmond

There has also been a push to buy made-in-Canada products at grocery stores.

But a few people commented that they stopped buying Canadian items because of prices.

"Everything Canada... I can't afford Canadian goods."
Trevor Soles
"Basically anything Canadian-made."
Aidan Carkeek
"I really want to support Canadian brands but realistically most things are way too expensive for my budget."
Corinne Eddy
"Anything made in Canada."
Chris Kassfeldt

When asked what products they don't buy anymore, a lot of Canadians revealed that they haven't taken anything off their grocery lists.

"I still buy what I want."
Anita Caissie
"None. Load up on what you use when it's on sale."
Ken Lucas
"Nothing. I wait for sales."
Sally Venne
"I haven't gone without anything really. I just choose different brands and shop the specials."
Vina Penney Gordon Brown
"We still purchase what we need, if it's a little more expensive now, so be it."
Robbie Shaver

Since many people said they've cut back on groceries, Narcity recently checked prices at the most expensive stores and the least expensive grocery stores according to Canadians.

That can help you find out where you get the most bang for your buck.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.

  • Senior Writer

    Lisa Belmonte (she/her) is a Senior Writer with Narcity Media. After graduating with a Bachelor of Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), she joined the Narcity team. Lisa covers news and notices from across the country from a Canada-wide perspective. Her early coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic earned Narcity its first-ever national journalism award nomination.

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